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Applying Prototype Theory to Assess Generational Divide in Usability of Icons Depicting Product Appearance.

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Title: Applying Prototype Theory to Assess Generational Divide in Usability of Icons Depicting Product Appearance.
Authors: Mao, Jingyi (AUTHOR), Lyu, Bingxue (AUTHOR), Lin, Kaijie (AUTHOR), Pan, Xianglong (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. Oct2025, Vol. 41 Issue 20, p13151-13174. 24p.
Subjects: Generation Z, Baby boom generation, Customer experience, Generation gap, User-centered system design, Archetypes, Emblems, Icons (Computer graphics)
Abstract: The usability of icons depicting product appearance relates to users' product experience. However, current research on icon usability neglects how the technological iteration of products affects this relationship. Since different generations have different product experiences due to different technological formative periods, this study explores the generational differences in product experience and icon usability between Generation Z and baby boomers, and applies prototype theory to analyze the influential mechanism among product experience, icon prototypicality, and icon usability. Analyzing 407 questionnaires by non-parametric tests and structural equation modeling, the research uncovers significant differences in the direct experience of products, the indirect experience of products, and the usability of icons depicting product appearance. Specific paths through which product experience impacts icon usability are revealed, demonstrating that direct and indirect product experiences enhance icon prototypicality, subsequently improving usability. These findings provide guidance for icon design to provide a better user experience for different generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Applying Prototype Theory to Assess Generational Divide in Usability of Icons Depicting Product Appearance.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mao%2C+Jingyi%22">Mao, Jingyi</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lyu%2C+Bingxue%22">Lyu, Bingxue</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lin%2C+Kaijie%22">Lin, Kaijie</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pan%2C+Xianglong%22">Pan, Xianglong</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Human-Computer+Interaction%22">International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction</searchLink>. Oct2025, Vol. 41 Issue 20, p13151-13174. 24p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generation+Z%22">Generation Z</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Baby+boom+generation%22">Baby boom generation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Customer+experience%22">Customer experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generation+gap%22">Generation gap</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22User-centered+system+design%22">User-centered system design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Archetypes%22">Archetypes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emblems%22">Emblems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Icons+%28Computer+graphics%29%22">Icons (Computer graphics)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The usability of icons depicting product appearance relates to users' product experience. However, current research on icon usability neglects how the technological iteration of products affects this relationship. Since different generations have different product experiences due to different technological formative periods, this study explores the generational differences in product experience and icon usability between Generation Z and baby boomers, and applies prototype theory to analyze the influential mechanism among product experience, icon prototypicality, and icon usability. Analyzing 407 questionnaires by non-parametric tests and structural equation modeling, the research uncovers significant differences in the direct experience of products, the indirect experience of products, and the usability of icons depicting product appearance. Specific paths through which product experience impacts icon usability are revealed, demonstrating that direct and indirect product experiences enhance icon prototypicality, subsequently improving usability. These findings provide guidance for icon design to provide a better user experience for different generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2470281
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Customer experience
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              Text: Oct2025
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